Paris - At the Paris Auto Show
Honda presents the Insight Concept model, which shows the design
direction that the new dedicated hybrid model will take. Honda
has always intended Hybrid vehicles to be a bridge to a hydrogen
powered future, the potential of which has already been
demonstrated by the leasing of the first FCX Clarity.

The Insight Concept has clear
stylistic links to the world's first production fuel cell car,
with both vehicles' forms shaped to maximise their aerodynamic
efficiency and therefore reduce fuel consumption.

The Insight Concept is the
stylistic inspiration for the production version which will go
on sale in 2009. From this unique position in the marketplace,
Insight will open hybrid technology to a new generation of
customers.

Insight's cost savings are partly
possible because processes have been continuously improved to
make them faster and therefore more efficient. Honda engineers
have refined many aspects of the production process to make them
more efficient to perform to increase production capacity and
plant efficiency.

A cornerstone of the cost
reduction is the refined version of Honda's award winning IMA
system, combining an electric motor with a refined, low emission
and efficient petrol engine. This petrol-electric engine and CVT
gearbox together give low CO2 and NOx emissions, and also
achieves inherently excellent refinement. Along with the Civic
Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at Honda's Suzuka
factory in Japan which recently has expanded hybrid motor
production line.

CO2 emissions and fuel economy are
targeted to be at a similar level to the existing Civic Hybrid,
giving drivers a flexible and highly practical lower
environmental impact car. At its expected price point, Insight
will have a unique combination of passenger space, luggage
capacity, emissions and economy.

The Insight will form the first
part of Honda's new hybrid strategy, which will see a further
dedicated hybrid model, derived from the CR-Z show car, and a
hybrid version of the Jazz. The strategy will make hybrids both
more accessible and more appealing to a range of customer types.

The Insight Concept is the
culmination of two decades of hybrid petrol electric hybrid
research and development. The Insight production vehicle will go
on sale in Europe, Japan and North America during the first half
of 2009.